Early Bird Donuts

I ordered an egg, cheese, and sausage croissant, donut holes, and a coffee this morning. My order took no less than 15mins and the sandwich wasn?t edible. The sausage was burnt beyond recognition and the bread was hard and fell apart. I didn?t venture deep enough to check the egg but I have my suspicions. I took a pity bite, really wish I hadn?t. The donut holes were decent and the coffee was coffee flavored, so there?s that. The place seemed great, I had high hopes, and will give them another go. Can?t bas

good donuts, got here early but they were out of the apple fritters, they must be really good!! the nice ladies at the front told me to call ahead to secure them, nice info to know ! cute ambiance inside. found this place through a video on tiktok and they did not disappoint! definitely coming back.

We were visiting my wife in North Carolina and wanted to try this place for breakfast. Initially, I was disappointed that they didn't offer online ordering and pick up because it's so convenient, and it's 2024. I just thought that should be something they have, but when I got there, I understood why they probably couldn't do that. They have donuts that are fillable. You get to choose the flavor of the donuts and then the filling itself. We didn't try any of that variety, but you could tell this is wher

I?ve been to a number of the donut shops around here and the Cambodian style donut that Early Bird makes which I was used to in California, is the best I?ve had here. Breakfast sandwiches are also awesome. So good, and locally owned too!

Fresh-grilled turkey sausage, egg, and cheese croissant. Not to mention, some of the best donuts in Durham NC!

Pretty good donuts! I liked how they had unfilled ones and you could choose your filling.

The donuts are good, but everything else was awful. Service was mediocre and slow. The sausage biscuit my husband bought was terrible! The sausage was like a hockey puck and the biscuit fell apart and was wet. The Vietnamese iced coffees we got took 30 minutes to come out and were warm and tasted like Folgers. The staff offered no apologies for the ridiculous wait... IF we return, we will only get donuts because everything else was not worth the money or the wait time.

Do Not go here!! The customer service was absolutely horrible! I can't believe how rude the employees were, it was three employees and all of one person ordering something. The girl that was behind me, ordered one donut the employees asked her to leave because they said it was a five-dollar minimum she said, I can pay with a card. The employee stated " no please leave" I felt so bad for the young girl. I tried to pay for her food but she walked out the door before I could, she was so offended. I ordered a

I really thought I googled a good Donut place. Maybe it?s because it was a Friday and Valentine?s Day that they didn?t have any donuts. This was at 8:30am. Either way we were able to get a few glazed crumbs and glazed cream filled donut. Not what I was hoping for. We paid $21 for 4 donuts and 2 large coffees. The coffee was freshly brewed. The workers seemed overwhelmed and the atmosphere was a bit chaotic. It could have been an off day but this was my experience. I would say if you want to try donuts g

We planned to dine in and then had to leave. The donuts tasted like the fryer oil had not been changed in a long time. Tasted floury and overly sweet. The staff was robotic and unavailable. Not unfriendly but strangely distant. Didn?t finish the food.

Nice place to grab a coffee or a quick breakfast (biscuits, donuts, etc.). Staff were very friendly and doing their best to churn out everyone's orders. Walking distance from AC Durham hotel! I had the Vietnamese Iced coffee and a turkey sausage, egg, and cheese. Coffee was smooth, not too strong or fancy (tasted more like a regular iced latte than Vietnamese coffee tho), and the biscuit was huge and fluffy.

Ordered a chocolate with sprinkles and 6 glazed donut holes. Not blown away but they weren?t bad, I?ve had better donuts elsewhere, but I would come here again to try a biscuit.

Best donuts in Durham, if you could actually buy them. Showed up 5 mins after opening w/ only one tray of donuts, and a 30 min wait. Donuts = great. Business operations = 0/100.

Maybe the best doughnut I?ve ever had. Was craving a doughnut and found this place a few minutes from my house. Light, pillowy dough you can tell was made fresh. Nothing is sickeningly sweet either like you would get at a chain doughnut store. Excited to come back and try other flavors. Updated: employees consistently have a bad attitude. Got a biscuit and everything was over cooked and had that griddled crispy film on it. Donuts are still top notch.

Best apple fritters! My father in law who is a pastry connoisseur has to come to Early Bird every visit to get the apple fritters and donuts.

Donuts are always delicious. We love that you can pick the filling for your donuts. Breakfast sandwiches are great as well. Simple but very tasty. Vietnamese coffee is always a nice change from the usual drip or ice coffees at other shops. Highly recommend. Also, the specialty donuts for Christmas were an extra special delight.

Create your own donuts! Choose donut type to mix with different filling choice ?? Grill options include biscuit & croissant to mix with various egg / cheese / meat options. True to their name - must arrive early to get donuts before selling out. Today's stock was dwindling by 9am Located off Erwin in back of shopping plaza on lowest level.

This was our first time coming here. It was easy to find and a little quiet spot. The gentleman who served us was very nice. They were sold out of everything except for the glazed donut holes by the time we got there after 12 noon. We bought all of them. They do have an extensive menu and it is nice and clean inside. The donut holes are very good. I would highly recommend coming here. Next time, we are in the area we will stop by. I'm looking forward to trying their kolaches with sausage rolls.

I actually tried this spot the DAY I was about to move 30 minutes away from it ?? I went early (8:30/9) since other people have noted they tend to run out of stuff and they seemed to have plenty of everything. The donuts and cinnamon bun were DELISH. The savory croissants were ok but the sausage one truly just had sausage in it and I think needed some melted cheese or something to be less dry. Also, the savory croissants did take a bit longer to make so if you?re in a rush, I?d suggest sticking to the swee

I had high hopes for this place as I drove 40 minutes to get there. Went in and ordered two donuts and two sandwiches. We were given our sandwiches but there were no donuts in sight; I figured we must have missed them at the counter and went up to ask about them. That?s when I found out they forgot about our donuts and had given the last of the one we ordered to the customers that came in after us. We had to substitute for another donut even though it wasn?t what we wanted as the selection was already super

They make the best apple fritter and it's not even close. It's huge, full of apples, perfectly glazed, slightly crunchy where it should be but also soft and chewy everywhere else. Amazing!

Just can't stop thinking about how lucky all of the people in the area are to have a hidden gem like Early Bird Donuts! It's a unique concept, I think, where you get to select your donut and the filling. Everything is fresh, homemade and tastes divine! I just wish I hadn't gone alone so I could have tried more flavor combinations. If I'm ever in this part of NC again, I'll be sure to grab a dozen!

They really are the early bird as they were open and happy to help me at 6:45am! The selection is large and fairly diverse with some specialty donuts. Pricing is also really good and is less pricey than Monuts and Rise. A great alternative to these other donut stores especially if you need to get places early in the day.

Dough tastes like pre-bought dough from a generic low-quality supplier. Filling same. - it would help it?s fried on spot?.. - but even then, the oil is not all that great and there is alot of it?kind of defeating what should have made up for the dough In all, not worth the price for what you are getting. I don?t understand why these types of donut places keep popping up. Wish we could get more ?hometown? passion bakers. But those in it for the craft are hard to find

$9 for 4 donuts??? We got 2 glazed and 2 coconut because that?s all they had left (it?s appropriately named early birds, you gotta get there early if you want to try anything) At that price and with the reviews of this place I expected these to be the best damn donuts I?ve ever had in my life and instead they were ?just ok?. Do not recommend. Go to Baker?s Dozen and get yourself a better donut at a way cheaper price.

I would like to say I had a good experience, but a better adjective would be exceptional! From the perfectly made buttery croissant, to a turkey option for my wife, to the soft, chewy apple fritter...so wonderful. The choose your own filling option is not one I can say I've experienced before, but is a cool alternative to prefilled. Also, grabbed a Vietnamese iced coffee that was made on the spot (as it should be) and was delectable. Glad to see a family owned-business doing so well and the products to b

Finally tried this place this weekend and so enjoyed! A classic old-school donut shop (reminded me of Daylight Donuts in Raleigh). Went at 8:30 on a Saturday morning and there was a line but it moved very quickly. We got an assorted dozen donuts to take to family and all were a hit. I especially loved the customizing of fillings. Big fan of the Apple fritter - it?s enormous! My husband tried a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit and loved it. We always enjoy Monuts and Rise, but Early Bird has a bigger donut se

fresh donuts! It?s a popular breakfast place near Duke campus. Besides donuts, they also offer hot breakfast like egg&sausage biscuits, which is good, but a little bit salty for me.

I have now had donuts here a few times. Today I decided to get two and eat in rather then leaving. The coconut donut was great, the apple fritter was raw dough in the center. Also I asked for regular coffee, they didnt have any brewed, the soda machine was also not working. Water it is! Lasty I went to use the restroom prior to leaving and no hook on the door for your purse in the ladies room as well as no paper towel. When I pointed this out to the person at the counter when I left she just pointed to a r

Well, this place is on my new top list. This is the first time coming here. The experience was great. Great customer service. The place was clean and Dought taste great and they are huge. It was a diffently wroththe trip out this morning. So if you haven't been here yet or have been wanting to go. You should, i know we will be coming back .

We went at 10am and they were already out of donuts. Not great, but when we went in, they didn't greet us or say anything at all, so we had to ask if they even had donuts. Same thing happened to at least 10 other people in the minutes we were there. Bummer.

Must say was very impressed with the high-quality, and how delicious each of the pastries were! Additionally, I have tried their biscuit/ croissant breakfast sandwiches that are always delicious and fresh.

Best doughnuts in the triangle, bar none But they aren't kidding with the name of this place, if you aren't here early in the morning they sell out of doughnuts and don't add more.

Most reliably delicious breakfast spot in Durham. They are also hard working and nice. I'd recommend a thousand times over!

Delicious! The donuts were warm and being made in small batches so they were constantly providing fresh warm donuts. This takes a ton more time but with donuts it?s worth it! Soo good

Great donuts and apple fritters (that only on Friday-sunday)!!

doughnuts were nice and fluffy, the biscuit was good too, and coffee was excellent. service was no fuss.

Surely have to get there much earlier than we did! Selection was sparse but well worth the trip. Friendly people, good sausage biscuits.

Amazing fresh donuts! Finally found a close place that makes delicious yeast donuts. The salted caramel have that perfect salty/sweet combination and the filled ones are done right in front of you! Coming back again and again!

This is the best donut place I?ve ever been to! Everything is extremely fresh. The quality of the ingredients and the expertise of the recipe REALLY shine. The food is amazing and the staff are lovely people.

Early Bird's yeast donuts are soft and pillowy, but have enough resistance to be satisfying. They're also delightfully large -- check out the dozen in my photo! They also have a surprising number of fillings available -- try the cherry filling. They do sell out of donuts as the morning progresses, though. The holy grail when they're in season is a donut that's filled with whipped cream cheese frosting and strawberries. Why you should listen to me: I am a donut fiend. I've had donuts from every single shop

Stopped by three hours before closing, only to find that more than half the menu was unavailable. The only options left were stale donuts and lukewarm coffee. Disappointing experience?wouldn?t recommend.

First, the donut shop is located in kind of an odd spot below some apartments, in Erwin Terrace, so it's isn't the easiest to find. Second, it is a visible enough location once you know where to look, and third, it isn't all just young people. It's clean, friendly, and the price is okay. Acoustics are bad (tough to hear much). The donut holes taste a bit, well, fried. They taste like they were cooked in oil that can use a replacement. Their taste was dominated by the oil. The apple fritter is big. Like ju

This is my best donut place forever. I am not a donut fan. After several tests with Dunkin Donuts, Duck Donuts, Monuts, I stick with my early bird for the morning sugar rush! Please aware of the Monday and 2pm closing. Othewise, a cup of hot, creamy, no sugar coffee and a piece of chewy, fluffy donut will make your date. I wish they would have something like donut membership.

Was told these are the best donuts in the triangle. Didn?t disappoint in anyway. There was a longish line. Totally worth it.

I was really excited but... When you are searching for and finally finally a donut shop you expect, once you step out of your car, to smell the aroma of fresh baked goods. I was sceptical when I approached the doors because I didn't get that smell of fresh baked donuts. I was the only customer waiting at the counter, and the individual who finally asked what I wanted didn't seem that keen on actually helping me. The fryers were empty, there was no bustle of activity of anyone making fresh baked donuts, the

The name fits as you need to be here before 9AM to get fresh pastries before they sell out! Even when they sell out of doughnuts, you can still get an amazing breakfast sandwich. I love their Vietnamese iced coffees and apple fritters. Highly recommend, if you are in the area and an early bird!

Doughnuts were excellent and extremely fluffy. I wish that I had been able to eat more. I love having the option to choose what type of doughnut to fill with whatever choice of filling I wanted. I can't wait to go back!

I haven't been to the shop so can't comment on the service or venue. I just attended an event (the Franklin All Nighter) for which Early Bird provided glazed doughnuts, though, and the doughnuts were so good that I had to jump on here to bookmark the spot and leave a review. I only tried the glazed, but the doughnut was perfectly sweet, and I loved the texture: fluffy in an unexpected but delicious way. I'll definitely be going here for my Durham doughnut fix going forward!

Delicious doughnuts! Finally a good alternative to Krispy Kreme! Love that they open early so we can bring the kids too. They have little chalk boards and a free arcade game as well

Doughnuts and apple fritter were very good. I wish we would have gotten there sooner to choose from a bigger selection.

I kept hearing great things about this place, so I finally made it here. The breakfast sandwiches & donuts were great but the customer service was absolutely terrible?. 5 stars for the food but 1 star for the service, I won?t be back

Amazing donuts, delicious breakfast sandwiches, friendly and helpful employees. However the past 5 Saturdays I visited, the owner was playing the exact same ?The Beatles Greatest Hits? album on loop and I feel like that may be creating minor-ly inhumane working conditions for the employees.

Historically speaking I've not been a big doughnut fan, but early bird doughnuts is delicious! They have a good variety of offerings and have also expanded to serve breakfast sandwiches. One of their specialties is choosing your own filling for stuffed donuts ? ? May I recommend the cookies and cream vanilla icing filled? A coworker claims that their apple turnover is like crack. The staff is very friendly and every time I've been in I have gotten to talk to the owner who is a pretty cool man. I bring my

Absolutely love this place. Great food and service! If you're just getting donuts/coffee, service is super quick. Breakfast sandwiches can take a while because they're all made to order. Hot tip: Check out the apple fritter or cinnamon roll - they're enormous and cost the same as the regular donuts.

They say they open at 6am but they won?t have donuts until after 7am, just FYI Absolutely delicious donuts but they barely have donuts available during their hours of operation, whether it?s the fact that they?re not prepared for opening or the fact that they sell out: you may or may not get donuts so plan accordingly.

Great options. HUGE donuts.. they can even make a Donut cake. I liked how the fill their donuts to order. We even got to meet a legendary Blue Devil basketball coach, who popped in for a morning snack.

We went here over the weekend to grab something quick for breakfast since we were in the area. This is our second time coming here. They were out of donuts which was fine since we were planning to get breakfast sandwiches. I got a sausage, egg and cheese to go. When I got home I couldn't eat it since the sausage was still very pink

Amazing donuts. Very fluffy and tasty. The ability to pick your filling was also a great novelty for our family. Be sure to get there early for a far greater selection, however.

If you want some donuts, get there early. They will sell out. The donuts are fresh and delicious. Know when you get there that you will have to wait in line. Totally worth the wait though. It?s a small place, although there are a few tables to sit and enjoy donuts, coffee or breakfast sandwiches.

This is an absolute MUST stop whenever I visit Durham. Their selection of donuts are just right, not too extravagant. Just be certain to eat them within a day or two at the most. Can't go wrong!!!

I love this place donuts always fresh and delicious

I have been here four times and three of the times they were totally 100% sold out of donuts. Each time before 9am! Can they make more donuts please??

Some of the best donuts I have ever had. A new weekend treat!

This was my first time going to early birds I will say the donuts were great but they didn?t have many glaze donuts left when I came 7:30am but shortly after waiting about 5 mins they had more. I was ordering donuts for work . Everyone enjoyed them defined will come again .

It's a fantastic donut shop with many options and a decent location. The old-fashioned donut was simply incredible. It had a great crumb and thick glaze, just absolutely fantastic. If you're in the area, go there, you be happy you did.

OMG. Apple fritters worth driving across Durham for. The fill donuts to order.

The donuts are huge, fluffy, and delicious. You can have them filled to order or get a pre-prepared one. Arrive early or reserve ahead of time on weekends as they often sell out!

Fantastic donuts. Great breakfast sandwiches. If only they could solve this problem of actually having food during their opening hours. A lot of other restaurants have solved it. I'm not sure why they haven't. Just say you're closed if you're closed!

Best donut I?ve had in the RTP area cuz they were FRESH

I wanted donuts but didn't want DD or KK. Google lead me to this gem! I had a sausage, egg and cheese croissant and I got a mixed half dozen donuts for my son and me. The croissant was flaky and buttery, the sausage was juicy and cooked perfectly! The breakfast sandwich was huge and filling. The donuts MELT when you take a bite. I'll definitely be back...probably tomorrow!

Best donuts in Durham by far. Their fritters are also to die for. They?re huge. Super tasty. Perfectly cooked.

The donuts are absolutely delicious with lots of variety. I also got the breakfast croissant and it was just, well, too much (sloppy) and not really flavorful. But this could definitely be just a matter of taste/opinion because I saw another customer who seemed to be enjoying theirs very much!?? Overall... Go early and get those ridiculously delicious donuts!!

there is no donut like a raised yeast donut, and these Early Bird yeasties are the absolute bomb!! EB donuts (yeast or cake) are as good as any I have ever had! I also love that the jelly and cream filled are filled right when you buy them! Totally Awesome! I am from Southern CA - which has the best donuts in the world. The best donut shops there are almost always mom and pop shops like Early Bird Donuts.

Wow. I can just say wow. I don't love donuts. Never have. But this place has made me love their donuts. My husband worked at Duke for years and raved about their donuts, and every time I got a chance it was either on a Monday or we were on campus too late in the day. My first ever order here took place yesterday, however, and I got a cinnamon sugar donut filled with vanilla cream, and I would have eaten three or four if my stomach would have allowed me. It was rich but not overbearingly, the texture of the

They don't have a huge selection of donuts, but the ones they have are amazing. I chose a filled Cinnamon Sugar donut. You can choose what filling you want. They had vanilla frosting, lemon, raspberry, and Bavarian Creme. There may have been more. I chose vanilla for mine and they do not skimp on the filling. The donut itself was fresh, soft, and moist. Very happy we chose Early Bird. My wife picked a coconut donut and a Bavarian creme filled chocolate covered donut. My daughter pick a classic glaze

Been here before and they have great donuts but closed over an hour early because they were sold out :( very disappointing and I wish I could rely on them being open during business

They have delectable soft, fluffy donuts! Their donuts also aren't too rich so they're great for a breakfast treat. If you want to choose your donut flavors/types, make sure you show up early because they sell out fast! Also, they have the best apple fritters here!!!

Great Donuts, friendly staff. Love that one can choose the filling for the filled donuts. Good selection.

Best donut in the city and state. You can?t go wrong with any of their choices. They?ve even reintroduced the kolaches for the weekends which have been off the menu for years. I will reimburse you if you don?t like it.

Words cannot express how phenomenal a person Sowadi is at Early Bird Donuts. We had recently received troubling medical news about my father and we wanted to buy doughnuts for the nurses that have been taking care of him. The doughnuts looked very delicious and smelled outstanding. Sowadi did something extremely thoughtful and went above and beyond to make our day. Thankyou so much Sowadi for providing optimal customer service and showing a kind heart.

This place is terrible. They have all these pictures of nice donuts but whenever I go they literally have zero donuts for sale. If I come at 10 or 11 am and you are open to 2 PM you should have donuts for sale. If you are selling out, newsflash bake more. Edit- two years later this is still true. Even though their stupid sparky reply. They can't figure out how to make a cppl extra dozen but call them self a donut shop. TRASH

I actually love their doughnuts but be warned?I went there this morning at 620?they open at 6 and they only had 2 types of doughnuts ready. It ALMOST ruined my morning, but then I went back in and the staff was so nice and the two doughnuts i got were so amazing I had to just appreciate those two?maybe the joke was on me because now i have to go back for their jelly filled, cream-filled, Apple fritters, cider, coconut sprinkles, chocolate frosting, and whatever doughnut is seasonal and I won?t stop thinking

Super fresh local donuts. Even hours after ordering, they were still delicious. Bavarian cream just like I personally love. Donuts seemed to weigh a LOT -- and somehow retains airy features of delicious donuts. They pipe in filling based on your request. Friendly employees.

Went there when they first opened thinking they had doughnuts. They only had 3 kinds so they weren't sold out they just didn't have anything. Drove 15 minutes home and the paper bag they put the doughnuts in was greasy and was not appealing. They claim to be the best in Durham, but Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme has a lot better selection and not full of grease. Worst experience and worst place to go if you want doughnuts. I highly recommend Monuts on 9th Street over this place. Doughnuts were stale crispy o

First time here was hen they had a cute Halloween make your own donut/story time for kids. The event was great and hope they schedule more like it. Fortunately I tried some menu items while there and I can?t wait I go back. The donuts are SO good! My favorite was the salted caramel yeast donut. It just melts in your mouth! Also had a bacon, egg, cheese croissant that was out of this world. If you?re looking for simple, delicious donuts I would definitely try Early Bird. You won?t be disappointed!

Great donuts, but more often than not, they are out of their most popular items. Sometimes they have no donuts at all. There are lots of donut places nearby, so I usually opt for a place with a little better inventory management.

This is a little gem of a donut shop that we have just recently discovered. They have become my family's favorite donuts. I however do recommend that you go early to get a good variety. Their donuts are very fluffy and cake-like. I make the drive from Raleigh just to get their donuts.